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Chocolate-tip and other news

Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 7:33 pm
by SteveH
Just a couple of new moth species to our Elton garden list so far this year, a Chocolate-tip (Clostera curtula) on 19th May and Monopis obviella on 28th May. As with most folk, noticing a number of early to very early arrivals this year, including our earliest ever Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) last night. Further, its currently our best year ever to this point, with 92 species, and our best ever May, with 80.

Its a bit late now for those that haven't seen it to witness the true spectacle offered up by Spindle Ermine (Yponomeuta cagnagella ) on Frodsham Marsh as many of the larvae have left their 'tents'. On 12th May I made a conservative estimate of 350,000 based on 1,000 per linear metre over a 350 metre transect... an amazing sight. The adult show in late July ought to be equally spectacular however!

Steve Holmes